Maeshall bidwell ingersoll



(N0 ModeL) M. B. INGERSOLL.

FIRE ESCAPE.

No. 320,474. PatntedJune 23, 1885.

Wiinesses:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARSHALL BIDWELL INGER-SOLL, OF REGINA, MANITOBA, CANADA.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 320,474, dated June 23,1885.

Applfcation filed May 12, 1885. (No model.) Patented in Canada April 7,1884, No. 35,731.

T0 or whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARSHALL BIDWELL INGERSOLL, lumber-dealer, ofRegina, in the Province of Manitoba, Canada, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes, of which the followingisaspecification.

My invention relates to that class of fireescapes commonly known asescape-ladders, and it has for its object to simplify and cheapen theconstruction, while at the same time rendering the apparatus strong andsafe.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective View showing my apparatus inuse. Fig. 2 is an inside face view of a window-casing, showing myimproved escape applied thereto; and Fig. 3 is a detail view.

This invention consists in a novel manner of mounting the reel uponwhich the ladder is wound.

A indicates a window-casing, at each side of which is a bracket,B,.secured in position by screws or bolts, as shown in Fig. 2. The formor shape of this bracket may be varied to give a more or less ornamentalappearance, and it is provided with a vertical hole or perforation, a,as shown in Fig. 3.

0 indicates a box or block provided with a depending arm or stud, b, tofit the hole or opening a in the bracket B, and with an enlarged headhaving a horizontal hole or opening, a, as indicated in Fig. 3. Thishead or enlargement prevents the block from dropping down through thehole or opening a too far, and it forms a bearing for the shaft D of thereel.

Shaft D extends across the window from one side to the other, and itsends pass through and revolve in the holes or openings 0 in the blocks0, the shaft being extended at one end beyond the side of the block 0,and provided with a crank or handle, d, by which to turn it.

The opposite end of the shaft D is provided with anut, e, by which it isprevented from escaping from its box or bearing 0.

The shaft D is furnished with a balancewheel, f, and with disks 9, asshown in Fig. 2.

The wheel f may be used to wind or unwind the ladder, instead of usingthe crankhandle d, or may be used to control the descent of the ladder.

The disks 9 are not essential, but theyserve to keep the ladder inplace, and cause it to wind and unwind more'evenly than when they arenot used.

The shaft D is provided with holes 71, through which the ends of theladder are passed in securing the ladder to the shaft; but it isapparent that any equivalent n1annor of securing the ladder to the shaftmay, obviously, be used.

E indicates the ladder, which may be made of wire, rope, or any othermaterial that will readily wind around the shaft D, and to the end ofsaid ladder I attach a weight, F, which, when the ladder is extended,keeps the lat ter taut, and prevents swaying.

Vhen the ladder is not in use and is wound up, the weight rests upon thewindow-sill or upon the floor, out of reach of persons upon the ground;and if for any reason it should be desired to remove the escape from thewindow, the shaft with the ladder wound thereon is lifted with its boxesor blocks 0 out of the stationary brackets or supports B.

The stems b of the blocks 0 are preferably made cylindrical, so as toallow them to adjust and align themselves, and prevent any binding ofthe shaft in its journals.

The escape may be adapted to windows of varying widths, the shaft Dsliding through the boxes or bearings O, and retained in place by thenut e and set-screw or collar i. (Shown in F1 g. 2.)

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. In a fire-escape, thecombination, with a window-casing and brackets secured thereto, of ashaft, a ladder wound upon said shaft, and boxes supporting the shaftand loosely mounted in the brackets, as set forth.

2. In combination with window-frame A, brackets B, secured to the innerfaces thereof, blocks 0, mounted in said brackets, shaft D, journaled insaid blocks, and ladder E, wound upon said shaft, and provided withweight F, all constructed and arranged to operate as set forth.

3. In a fire-escape, the combination, with IOC a window-casing, 0fbrackets B, secured there with stems b, shaft D, journaled in the blocksto, and provided with opening a, and blocks 0, G, and provided withladder E, and handprovided with stem 1) and holes 0, and adaptwheelf, asand for the purpose set forth.

ed to support the ladder shaft or reel, as set MARSHALL BIDWELLINGERSOLTI- 5 forth. WVitnesses:

4. In combination with casing" A, brackets J. G. Ross,

B, provided with hole a, blocks 0, provided I O. L. ROGERS.

